(OOC: Every time a new scene appears in the campaign, I will start off a new thread. This will be done so there will not be any huge threads that can lose other readers.)

(Edit I realize this is actually the last scene of the previous thread. But since this is a transitional post, I thought it was good to get the second post started. I will try and do better with getting the scene cuts next posts. Guys go ahead and post your actions all three of you so we can move the story forward.)

Dorn motions to speak “That is an insult...”

Fate quickly cuts off his words. Standing up from his throne the steward of the cosmos pulls back his hood revealing a face. This face transforms many times into features of every type of mortal known, some familiar, others alien. The mask of Fate shifts through these visages giving comfort to some gods while distracting and revolting others. In a hollow echoing voice filled with scents of cinnamon and cloves with a touch of honey he speaks, “THIS IS NOT A TIME FOR BICKERING. IT IS TIME FOR LISTENING NOT MAKING ARGUMENTS.

I have brought each of you here as you have some influence in the area of immediate problem. I will need each one of you to contribute. It is in every one of your best interest to cooperate and resolve this new situation.

To sum up events till now, a new faction has gained power in the Celestial Gardens and the Known World. It is a threat bigger than the Leviathans posed when the War of the Leviathans was fought. This faction, known as the Hands of Chaos, is composed of Leviathans, demons and many secretive members of the gods. Their goal is simple; to destroy the Known World sending everything back to spirit form. Their leader is a demon god known as Zhamaz.

Zhamaz was once a god much like you. He was a demon on the run at first, but in time he helped the other races. He made a case for his godhood much like everyone here when the time was right for his ascendancy. But he lusted for more, much more than mere godhood. He desired a new beginning. This beginning is a world without mortals or gods, where everything and everyone is spirit. With this in mind he has gathered many in secret to his cause.

Now his power is an unknown. I cannot even see where his followers live much less how many they are and where his other powers are coming from. I do know he has obtained the Staff of Legion a powerful Legendary Artifact to his cause.

With his newfound powers, Zhamaz has created a rift in the well of souls, much larger than before. Through this opening, hundreds of new souls, demons, have poured into the Known World. Their tactics are mysterious to me, but I have a clue which I will share with everyone here.

One of my grapplers has detected the rift and gathering of demons. It was last known to exist in the Eastern Celestial Lake in Kathonia. I lost contact after its report to me. The report stated a gathering of at least ten thousand demons with more coming through each second the rift is open.

This gathering must stop.

Go with one of my grapplers as my guide. Each one of you will have a grappler to serve you.

I will be here on my throne if you need anything.But for now, go forth and gather these lost souls so I may put them back in the well. Their existence will be used by the Hands of Chaos only for ill.

Beware there are other players besides Zhamaz. Expect resistance on a higher scale than you know.”

Fate sits back down pulling his hood forward.

Two of the deities vanish instantly, the feathered god with the human face and the tree featured god.

Saya eyes the now-vacated area recently occupied by the vanished deities.

"Perhaps paranoia is contagious, but that looked less than comforting to me. I would have thought a bit of planning and coordination would be called for, were they intending to assist in ridding Kathonia of these rogue demons. Though their actions would be quite consistent with someone rushing off to tell someone else of this conversation....

"Does anybody here actually KNOW the parrot or the tree-god? Can anyone vouch for them, their allegiances, loyalties, agendas?"

Osisal responds changing his light from a yellow to a soft white glow and replies, "The bird god with the human face is called Haaaglithunnall. I am not sure of the sex but I am sure of where Haaaglithunnall's tribe is located. In the eastern celestial lake on the south shores by a tall group of trees is where the tribe is located.

The other god is known as Muniss. He is a god located on the swampy eastern shores of the eastern celestial lake.

Right now it is possible they are off to see if their tribes are in trouble or make plans. I am not sure of this, but that is what I would do if my tribes where threatened.

As Fate stated, the rift is opening in the Eastern Celestial Lake somewhere. Their tribes are no doubt in danger."

"I agree. However, a PLAN might not go amiss. As well, perhaps a bit of coaching from some of the more experienced? I for one have never before dealt with an adversary that stymied Fate Itself."

"This Staff of Legion might be a good place to start. Is it a thing of spirit, matter, or both?"

"And these so-hard-to-find worshippers of Zhamas--are any among our number particularly skilled at scrying, so that we might be able to find them to assess their number and possibly distract Zhamas with a counter-threat?"

"The gathering up of the released demon-spirits seems straightfoward enough--find places where they gather and set the Grapplers among them. One of those places will of course be the rift, but I expect that will be defended somehow."

"And of course we must each also keep a careful watch over our own followers--this will add danger to any plans involving incarnating to deal with material things directly."

(Saya takes a quick moment to look in on the Orang and their swamps, and reassures himself of their welfare.)

Pacing about, Valdjag'r nervously ponders Saya's words. Indeed, Saya, a plan will be intrinsic, but in order to plan we must first gather what information we can about our adversary, including information of our freshly absent allies tribes and their safety or lack thereof. I for one know nothing of this Zhamas, Staff of Legion or a rift in the Central Lakes beyond what has been shared with us by Fate. Do any of the rest of you have information to this end?

With that Valdjag'r cast a wary eye on the throng. His gaze fell across Dorm more than once. He expected an objection to his question at any moment.

"Very well Dorm. Your spear most likely will be of need to us in this endeavor when the time comes to face our enemy." Valdjag'r bowed genuinely to the young hunter. Casting a glance back to his more obvious allies he continued, "I too need to withdraw. I will need to provide a more tangible agent to seek out the answers I seek." With a spring in his step, Valdjag'r leapt for the other reaches of the gardens and sprung into a bank of foliage, turning into a bird and flying back to his home at the edge of Winter and Spring.

Returning to his own form, Valdjag'r sat upon his throne of bones and contemplated who among his followers was best to invest in the challenge of this quest. He listened to their prayers as a means of judging their understanding of his ways. He favored his Falconers, but his Trappers and Hunters were also blessed. But maybe, it was not unknown, a member of the throng would prove themselves righteous and just... the right man or woman for the quest. He would listen very closely this night. Very closely.